Shelf having an adjustable divider

ABSTRACT

A display fixture is described. The display fixture includes a pair of frame members, and a shelf disposed between the frame members, the shelf being able to receive a plurality of substantially linear, movable dividers, and to store the plurality of substantially linear, movable dividers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/479,075, filed on Jun. 17, 2003.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a shelf fordisplaying goods and, more particularly, to a shelf having dividerswhich are movable to accommodate goods of varying size.

[0003] Storage members, such as shelving assemblies, are often providedfor displaying goods. In a merchandising context, shelving assembliesare provided for displaying articles of commerce such as food items,health care products, and the like. Such shelving assemblies sometimesinclude dividers in order to keep adjacently-displayed productsseparate, such as in display channels. However, shelving assembliesincorporating product dividers may be inefficient in utilizing the spaceprovided by the display channels. For example, if a product is generallysmaller than the size of the display channel, then the use of shelvingspace is not maximized. This problem is especially pertinent insituations where the overall amount of display space is limited.

[0004] Therefore, what is needed is a shelving apparatus having amovable divider arrangement, which provides for the maximization ofshelf space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display fixture according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shelf of the display fixture ofFIG. 1.

[0007]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the shelf of FIG. 2.

[0008]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a divider associated with theshelf of FIG. 2.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a portion of the shelf of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, a display fixture for displaying merchandiseis generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The display fixture 10includes a pair of parallel, vertically-extending frames 12 connected attheir upper ends in any conventional manner by a plurality ofhorizontally-extending frame connectors 14. It will be understood that,for the sake of clarity, substantially similar components are given thesame reference numerals such as the frames 12 and the frame connectors14. The display fixture 10 further includes a pair of parallel,vertically-extending side frames 16 extending perpendicularly from thefront frame 12 (as viewed in FIG. 1). The side frames 16 are connectedat their upper ends in any conventional manner by ahorizontally-extending side frame connector 18. The frames 12 and theside frames 16 are connected to and extend vertically from a horizontalbase 19, which provides an appreciable degree of stability to thedisplay fixture 10. It is understood that the frames 12 and the sideframes 16 are connected to the base 19 in any conventional manner suchas via bolts (not depicted), resulting in a generally free-standingdisplay fixture 10.

[0011] The frames 12 and the side frames 16 cooperate to define a pairof side display areas 20 and a front display area 22 (as viewed in FIG.1). A plurality of shelves 24, 26 are adapted to be housed within thedisplay areas 20, 22, respectively, for displaying merchandise thereon.To facilitate disposal of the shelves 24, 26 within the display areas20, 22, respectively, the frames 12 and the side frames 16 each includea plurality of support rods 28, 30, respectively, which receive theshelves 24, 26, respectively, in a manner to be described. While theshelves 24 differ in size from the shelves 26, it is understood that theshelves 24, 26 are of substantially similar construct, and therefore,for the sake of clarity, only one shelf 26 will be described in detail.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the shelf 26 includes a base member32 and a retaining member 34, which cooperates with the base member todisplay merchandise (not shown). The base member 32 includes a perimeterrod 35 and a plurality of closely-spaced, parallel holding rods 36extending from a rear portion 38 of the perimeter rod to a front portion40 of the perimeter rod. The perimeter rod 35 is completed by a pair ofside portions 42, 44 that extend between the rear and front portions 38,40, respectively. The holding rods 36 are turned upward substantially90° adjacent to the front portion 40, thereby resulting in the frontportion being vertically-spaced from the rear portion 38 when the basemember 32 is generally horizontal. Accordingly, the front portion 40 ofthe perimeter rod 35 aids in retaining merchandise on the base member 32as will be further described.

[0013] The base member 32 further includes a pair of hook supports 46attached to but extending beyond the side portions 42, 44 of theperimeter rod 35 and extending beneath the holding rods 36. The hooksupports 46 are spaced between and parallel to the rear and frontportions 38, 40 of the perimeter rod 35 to provide support for the shelf26. The hook supports 46 have hooks 48 at the distal ends thereof, whichare adapted to engage the support rods 30 of the side frames 16 (FIG. 1)to support the shelf 26 between the side frames. A bracing rod 50 isadditionally attached to the side portions 42, 44 of the perimeter rod35 beneath the holding rods 36 and extends parallel to and generallyequidistant between the rear and front portions 38, 40 of the perimeterrod 35 to provide an additional degree of support for the shelf 26. Itis understood that the hook supports 46 and the bracing rod 50 areattached to the perimeter rod 35 in any conventional manner, and thatthey may be attached likewise to the holding rods 36.

[0014] The retaining member 34 is adapted to engage the base member 32,and as such, includes a pair of front connector members 60 and a pair ofrear connector members 62 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3). As the frontconnector members 60 are substantially similar and the rear connectormembers 62 are substantially similar, only one of each will bedescribed. A pair of retaining slots 64, 66 are formed in the frontconnector member 60 such that the portion of the front hook support 46that extends beyond the perimeter rod 35 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3)can be received into one of the slots. The lower slot 64 (as viewed inFIGS. 2 and 3) is generally L-shaped such that the portion of the hooksupport 46 disposed therein may be retained in the connector member 60even should the shelf 26 be housed in the display area 22 in a tiltedmanner as will be described. The upper slot 66 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and3) is also generally L-shaped to retain the portion of the hook support46 disposed therein in a manner similar to that described with referenceto the lower slot 64. As can be appreciated, the provision of lower andupper slots 64, 66 allows for adjustment of the retaining member 34relative to the base member 32.

[0015] Turning now to the rear connector member 62, a pair of retainingslots 76, 78 are formed therein such that the portion of the rear hooksupport 46 that extends beyond the perimeter rod 35 (as viewed in FIGS.2 and 3) can be received into one of the slots. The lower and upperslots 76, 78 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) are generally linear in shapeto retain the portion of the hook support 46 disposed therein. Theprovision of lower and upper slots 76, 78 allows for the adjustment ofthe retaining member 34 relative to the base member 32.

[0016] The front connector member 60 and the rear connector member 62disposed on the right side of the shelf 26 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3)are integrally formed with and extend from a side portion 90 of theretaining member 34. Similarly, the front connector member 60 and therear connector member 62 disposed on the left side of the shelf 26 (asviewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) are integrally formed with and extend from aside portion 92 of the retaining member 34. The side portions 90, 92 areconnected in any conventional manner to a front wall 94 and a rear wall96.

[0017] The front and rear walls 94, 96 include a plurality of U-shapednotches 102, 104, respectively, defined therein for receiving movablerod-like dividers 100 therebetween. The dividers 100 span the distancebetween the front and rear walls 94, 96 to define with the front andrear walls a plurality of generally rectangular display channels 106 ofthe shelf 26. As can be appreciated, the size of the individual displaychannels 106 can be altered by moving the dividers 100 relative to theside portions 90, 92 to extend between different notches 102, 104.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, the dividers 100 are generally rod-like, orlinear, in shape and include a pair of grooved portions 108 formedproximate to the distal ends thereof. The grooved portions 108 of thedividers 100 are adapted to engage the surfaces of the front and rearwalls 94, 96 defined by the notches 102, 104, respectively. Accordingly,the grooved portions 108 aid in retaining the dividers 100 on theretaining member 34 when the dividers are placed thereon.

[0019] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, a pair of storage slots 110are formed in the front wall 94 adjacent to the side portions 90, 92,respectively. Additionally, a pair of storage slots 112, correspondingto the storage slots 110, are formed in the rear wall 96 adjacent to theside portions 90, 92. The storage slots 110 and 112 cooperate with oneanother to store unused dividers 100. More specifically, the slots 110,112 cooperate to receive the dividers 100 therein via the groovedportions 108 of the dividers. The dividers 100 are retained within theslots 110, 112 due to the size of the slots being smaller than the sizeof the portion of the dividers 100 not defined by the grooved portions108.

[0020] A pair of C-shaped slots 114, 116 are further defined in thefront and rear walls 94, 96, respectively. The C-shaped slots 114, 116are in communication with the slots 110, 112, respectively, and aresized larger than the diameter of the dividers to accommodatelongitudinal movement of the dividers 100 therethrough. Accordingly, thedividers 100 stored in the retaining member 34 via the slots 110, 112can be removed from storage via the C-shaped slots 114, 116.

[0021] In operation, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the displayfixture 10 is assembled to house the plurality of shelves 24, 26incorporating the movable dividers 100. Since the shelves 24, 26 areassembled onto the display fixture 10 in a similar fashion, onlyassemblage of a single shelf 26 will be described. The base member 32 ofthe shelf 26 is first installed between the side frames 16 by engagingthe hooks 48 extending from the hook supports 46 onto a pair ofcorresponding support rods 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the front hook 48engages a support rod 30′ vertically-spaced from a support rod 30″engaged by the back hook 48, thereby facilitating a gravity-fedarrangement as will be further discussed.

[0022] The retaining member 34 is then assembled onto the base member 32by engaging the front and back connector members 60, 62 with theportions of the corresponding front and back hook supports 46 thatextend beyond the side portions 42, 44 of the perimeter rod 35. Thefront and back connector members 60, 62 can be engaged with the frontand back hook supports 46 via either the lower slots 64, 76,respectively, or the upper slots 66, 78, respectively, depending on thedesired positioning of the retaining member 34 relative to the basemember 32. Columns of merchandise, or goods, such as C1 and C2 depictedin FIG. 1, are then placed onto the shelf 26 in a desired orientationsuch that the columns of merchandise rest on the base member 32 whilebeing retained on the shelf by the retaining member 34. During placementof the columns of merchandise onto the base member 32, the dividers 100are placed between the columns of merchandise to engage the front andrear walls 94, 96 via the U-shaped notches 102, 104, respectively.Accordingly, the columns of merchandise are separated from one anothervia the dividers 100, thereby effectively defining display channels 106for the columns of merchandise.

[0023] As can be appreciated, the dividers 100 are adjustable along thenotches 102, 104 to accommodate columns of merchandise having differingwidths. As the dividers 100 rest in the corresponding notches 102, 104,the dividers are adjustable by picking up an individual divider andmoving the divider to rest in a different pair of corresponding notches.Accordingly, the dividers 100 can be adjusted to minimize excess spaceassociated with each display channel 106, which in turn, maximizes theamount of merchandise that can be displayed on the shelf 26.

[0024] The shelf 26 facilitates a gravity-fed arrangement for thedisplay of columns of merchandise. For example, upon removal of an itemof merchandise from one of the display channels 106, the remaining itemsof merchandise in the corresponding display channel will slide forwardvia gravity with the forward-most remaining item replacing the item justremoved. The front portion 40 of the base member 32 cooperates with theretaining member 34 to retain the remaining items on the shelf 26.

[0025] It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoingwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, thespecific arrangement of frame members 12, 16 and the associated frameconnectors 14, 18 can be altered to include additional frame members andconnectors. Moreover, the base 19 may be removed or replaced with a basehaving an alternative configuration.

[0026] Still further, although the shelf 26 is described as beingcomprised of two elements, e.g. the base member 32 and the retainingmember 34, it is understood that the shelf may include additionalelements, or alternatively, may be unitary in nature. Moreover, althoughdescribed as hooks 48, the hooks 48 may take a variety of other shapesother than a hook shape.

[0027] Furthermore, although the storage slots 110, 112 are described ashaving a size smaller than the size of the dividers 100, it isunderstood that in some embodiments, the size of the storage slots maybe equal to or greater than the size of the dividers.

[0028] Still further, the support rods 30 may be replaced with supportshaving alternative configurations. In such embodiments, the hooks 48 maybe altered to correspond to the shape of the alternative support rods30. Furthermore, although described as having two hook supports 46, itis understood that the base member 32 may include any number of hooksupports, and thus a different number of hooks 48. Similarly, althoughdescribed as having one bracing rod 50, it is understood that the basemember 32 may include any number of braces.

[0029] Moreover, although described as having a specific shape, theretaining slots 64, 66 of the front connector members 60 and theretaining slots 76, 78 of the rear connector members 62 may havealternative shapes. The U-shaped notches 102, 104 may be formed to takealternative shapes other than a U-shape. For example, the notches 102,104 may be formed as V-shaped notches, and the shape of the groovedportions 108 of the dividers 100 can be altered to accommodate thealternatively-shaped notches. Still further, the C-shaped slots 114, 116may be configured in other shapes other than a C-shape.

[0030] It is also understood that all spatial references, such as“horizontal, “vertical, “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “left,” and“right,” are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within thescope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe following claims. Additionally, in the claims, means-plus-functionclauses are intended to cover the structures described herein asperforming the recited function and not only structural equivalents, butalso equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display fixture, comprising: a plurality offrame members cooperating to define a plurality of display areas; and atleast one shelf disposed in at least one of the display areas, the shelfcomprising: a base member; a retaining member engageable with the basemember, the retaining member having a plurality of notches formed in afirst wall thereof, and a plurality of notches formed in a second wallthereof; and a plurality of substantially linear dividers spanningbetween and engaging the first and second walls of the retaining membervia disposal of the dividers within corresponding notches defined in thefirst and second walls, wherein the dividers are movable to various ofthe plurality of notches.
 2. The display fixture of claim 1 wherein theplurality of frame members comprises a first frame member spaced fromand extending substantially parallel with a second frame member, thefirst and second frame members being connected via a plurality of frameconnectors.
 3. The display fixture of claim 2 wherein the plurality offrame members further comprises a third frame member spaced from andextending substantially parallel with a fourth frame member, the thirdand fourth frame members connected to the second frame member andextending substantially perpendicular therefrom.
 4. The display fixtureof claim 3 wherein the display areas are defined between the first andsecond frame members and between the third and fourth frame members. 5.The display fixture of claim 1 wherein the base member of the shelfcomprises a perimeter member and a plurality of holding membersextending from a first portion of the perimeter member to a secondportion of the perimeter member.
 6. The display fixture of claim 5wherein the base member further comprises first and second hook supportseach connected to and extending transversely with the holding members,the hook supports each having a pair of hooks at the distal endsthereof.
 7. The display fixture of claim 6 wherein the retaining membercomprises a first pair of connector members and a second pair ofconnector members, the first pair of connector members being adapted toengage with the first hook support and the second pair of connectormembers being adapted to engage with the second hook support.
 8. Thedisplay fixture of claim 7 wherein the first pair of connector memberseach comprise a generally L-shaped slot formed therein.
 9. The displayfixture of claim 8 wherein the first pair of connector members engagethe first hook support via the slot defined in each of the first pair ofconnector members.
 10. The display fixture of claim 7 wherein the secondpair of connector members each comprise a generally linear slot formedtherein.
 11. The display fixture of claim 10 wherein the second pair ofconnector members engage the second hook support via the slot defined ineach of the second pair of connector members.
 12. The display fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the dividers comprise a pair of grooved portions forengaging the first and second walls.
 13. The display fixture of claim 12wherein the dividers are generally circular in cross-section.
 14. Thedisplay fixture of claim 13 wherein the notches are generally U-shapedto receive the dividers.
 15. The display fixture of claim 1 wherein theretaining member further comprises a storage slot formed in the firstwall of the retaining member, and a storage slot formed in the secondwall of the retaining member, wherein the storage slots cooperate toreceive and store the dividers.
 16. The display fixture of claim 15wherein the retaining member further comprises a generally C-shaped slotformed in the first wall, and a generally C-shaped slot formed in thesecond wall, wherein the C-shaped slots are in communication with thecorresponding storage slots.
 17. A display fixture, comprising a pair offrame members, and a shelf disposed between the frame members, the shelfhaving means for receiving a plurality of substantially linear, movabledividers, and means for storing the plurality of substantially linear,movable dividers.
 18. The display fixture of claim 17 further comprisingmeans for removing the dividers stored by the shelf.
 19. A shelf fordisplaying merchandise, comprising: a base member; a retaining memberengageable with the base member, the retaining member comprising a firstwall and a second wall spaced from the first wall, the first and secondwalls having a plurality of corresponding notches formed therein and apair of corresponding storage slots formed therein; and a plurality ofdividers, at least one divider being adapted for disposal incorresponding notches in the first and second walls, and at least onedivider being adapted for storage within the corresponding storage slotsin the first and second walls.
 20. The shelf of claim 19 wherein thefirst and second walls of the retaining member each include a C-shapedslot formed therein, the C-shaped slots being in communication with thecorresponding storage slots.
 21. The shelf of claim 19 wherein the basemember comprises a pair of hook supports.
 22. The shelf of claim 21wherein the retaining member further comprises a plurality of connectingmembers, the connecting members being adapted to engage with the hooksupports.
 23. A shelf for displaying merchandise, comprising means forreceiving a plurality of substantially linear, movable dividers, andmeans for storing at least one of the plurality of substantially linear,movable dividers.
 24. The shelf of claim 23 further comprising means forremoving the dividers stored by the shelf.
 25. A display fixture,comprising: two spaced, generally vertically-extending frame members,each frame member having a plurality of generally horizontally-extendingsupport rods; a shelf disposed between the frame members, the shelfhaving two hooks extending toward each frame member, wherein one of thehooks extending toward each frame member engages one pair ofcorresponding support rods and the other hook extending toward eachframe member engages another pair of corresponding support rods; androd-like dividers disposed on the shelf and movable along the shelf todefine product display channels of adjustable size.
 26. The displayfixture of claim 25 wherein the one pair of corresponding support rodsis vertically-spaced from the another pair of corresponding supportrods.
 27. The display fixture of claim 25 wherein the shelf furthercomprises a base for supporting product, and a retaining member disposedabove the base, the retaining member having a first wall and a secondwall wherein each wall defines a plurality of aligned notches forreceiving the rod-like dividers.
 28. The display fixture of claim 27wherein the first and second walls of the retaining member furtherdefine at least one pair of corresponding slots for storing dividers notdisposed within the plurality of notches.
 29. A method for displayinggoods on a shelf, comprising providing a shelf having a base member anda retaining member, the retaining member being engageable with the basemember and having a plurality of notches formed therein, providing atleast one substantially linear divider associated with the shelf,disposing goods on the base member, and disposing the at least onesubstantially linear divider in corresponding notches formed in theretaining member, thereby dividing goods disposed on the base member.30. The method of claim 29 further comprising providing additionalsubstantially linear dividers and storing the additional substantiallylinear dividers via the shelf.